WASHINGTON - Junior forward Brittany Blackwell was a preseason All-CAA selection for the second year in a row and the Seahawks were tabbed to finish eighth as the Colonial Athletic Association released its preseason poll and All-CAA teams at the league's annual media day Tuesday at the ESPN Zone in Washington.
Blackwell is a preseason Second-Team All-CAA selection after leading the Seahawks and ranking sixth in the CAA in both scoring (13.8) and rebounding (8.3) last season on her way to earning Second-Team All-CAA honors for the second time in her career. One of only three players to start all 31 games played last season, Blackwell posted a team-best 10 double-doubles. She also ranked among the league leaders in field-goal percentage (.437) and free-throw percentage (.708)
"It is nice to have Brittany recognized as one of the top players in the league," said UNCW Head Coach Ann Hancock, who is entering her 10th season with the program. "She is definitely a leader and go-to player for our program. She has set the tone for us to pick up where we left off last year. However, she is hungry to prove she can be a first team All-CAA selection and elevate our team to a consistent contender in the league."
The poll, consisting of votes from the league's coaches, sports information directors and selected media members, had defending CAA champion Drexel capturing the regular season crown with James Madison picked to finish second and perennial league power Old Dominion tabbed for third. Delaware, VCU, Towson and Hofstra follow the Lady Monarchs while William & Mary, Northeastern, Georgia State and George Mason round out the poll.
"The preseason rankings are indicative of just how challenging the CAA is going to be this year," Hancock said. "Coming off a fifth-place finish last season and returning all five starters from the second half of the conference schedule, I have high expectations for this group. We have worked hard in the offseason to build momentum for the upcoming campaign and we must use that to propel us into the upper echelon of the CAA."
The Seahawks return all five starters and 11 of 12 letterwinners from last season's squad that posted a 16-15 overall record and claimed fifth place in the CAA with a 9-9 league mark, its highest finish in five seasons. The Seahawks are one of only three teams in the league to welcome back a pair of All-Conference performers from the 2008-09 season as Blackwell and Third-Team All-CAA honoree Greta Luksyte both return to the lineup.
The Seahawks begin the 2009-10 season Nov. 10 when they entertain UNC Pembroke in a 7 p.m. exhibition contest at Trask Coliseum.
2009-10 CAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS
|
First Team
|
Cl.
|
Pos.
|
Ht.
|
Hometown/Previous School
|
|
Shanae Baker-Brice, Towson
|
Sr.
|
G
|
5-6
|
Washington, D.C./Theodore Roosevelt
|
|
Tiffany Benson, William & Mary
|
Sr.
|
F
|
6-1
|
Virginia Beach, Va./Princess Anne
|
|
Jessica Canady, Old Dominion
|
Sr.
|
F
|
6-0
|
Williamsburg, Va./Jamestown
|
|
Dawn Evans, James Madison
|
Jr.
|
G
|
5-7
|
Clarksville, Tenn./Northeast
|
|
Gabriela Marginean, Drexel
|
Sr.
|
F
|
6-1
|
Cluj-Napoca, Romania/Mt. de Chantal Academy
|
|
Second Team
|
Cl.
|
Pos.
|
Ht.
|
Hometown/Previous School
|
|
Brittany Blackwell, UNCW
|
Jr.
|
G/F
|
6-1
|
Raleigh, N.C./Cary Academy
|
|
Elena DelleDonne, Delaware
|
R-Fr.
|
G/F
|
6-5
|
Wilmington, Del./Ursuline Academy
|
|
Jess Fuller, Hofstra
|
Sr.
|
C
|
6-4
|
Queens, N.Y./Francis Lewis/Monroe CC
|
|
Tesia Harris, Delaware
|
Jr.
|
G
|
6-0
|
Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hollows Hills West
|
|
Jasmina Rosseel, Drexel
|
Jr.
|
G
|
5-8
|
Leper, Belgium/Sint-Theresia Instituut
|
CAA Preseason Player of the Year: Gabriela Marginean, Drexel
Honorable Mention: Joelle Conelly, So., C/F, Hofstra; Katrina Wheeler, Sr., F, Towson
Courtesy: Jamie Moncrief
